Spurs left to count the cost

Two sides who have flirted with the possibility of success this season contrived to produce an afternoon of mediocrity at White Hart Lane. Blackburn, having reached the FA Cup semi-finals, were happy to have finished in the Premiership, while Tottenham's minimal hopes of ensuring qualification for Europe evaporated in the north London sunshine.

Both teams have changed their managers this term and, under new stewardship, have offered promise for next season. But there was little on show yesterday.

Tottenham began the day hoping Manchester City could beat Middlesbrough and that they would score at least three goals to steal the last available UEFA Cup spot. Neither happened and now Spurs must hope they can sneak into Europe via the curious path of the Fair Play League.

On a day Spurs needed to score goals, Martin Jol, the Tottenham head coach, started with leading scorer Jermain Defoe on the bench, bringing him on only in the 61st minute.

Yesterday's draw cost Spurs almost half-a-million pounds. Had they won they would have finished eighth and taken £6.175 million. By finishing ninth their reward is £5.7 million.

Jol explained his thinking saying: "Lately, in the last couple of matches, Jermain wasn't as sharp as before and Robbie Keane was and that's why I played him."

Spurs have, at times this season, played impressively. Against Blackburn their play lacked imagination though they were thwarted on occasions by Brad Friedel.

As the game progressed so Jol and Blackburn's Mark Hughes were left exasperated by their players' inability to penetrate. When, in added time, Robbie Savage tried to score from the half-way line, with goalkeeper Radek Cerny off his line, we saw, at last some imagination, but the attempt flew narrowly over.